Troy's shut down 'D'

Tom Killips -- The Record
Troy High's Kyle Geraci, David Jabour and Dorrell Williams anchor a defense that hasn't allowed a point in 15 quarters. The Flying Horses attempt to run their record to 5-0 Saturday when the play host to Averill Park. (Tom Killips -- The Record).

Dorrell Williams and the rest of the Troy defense are always looking for someone to hit. The unit, which prides itself on being physical, hasn't allowed a touchdown since the first quarter of Week 1. (Tom Killips -- The Record).

TROY -- The 11 members of the Troy High defense huddled up after allowing a touchdown to Queensbury in the first quarter of the first game of the 2009 season, upset they had allowed the opponents on the scoreboard so early in the season.

That sparked the fire that has been lit under Troy's defense ever since, as the Flying Horses have outscored opponents 200-0 in their last 15 quarters of play.

"We got really mad when we gave up the first touchdown," said senior defensive end Dorrel Williams. "Honestly, it never should have happened, but we have worked really hard on not giving up any points. We go out there with 100% effort and don't let up on anybody."

The Troy players credit defensive coordinator Bob Burns for his diligent scouting reports and film breakdown sessions in helping them understand their opponents' offensive tendencies. Knowledge, however, is only half of keeping other teams out of the end zone.

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"A lot of teams get frustrated and we just keep coming at them," said senior defensive tackle David Jabour. "We're violent, we're physical and there aren't many teams like us that are that physical."

After the 30-7 victory over Queensbury, the Flying Horses defeated Amsterdam 50-0, then beat Scotia-Glenville 67-0 and last week topped Mohonasen 53-0. Those four teams are a combined 3-13, but playing practically mistake-free football for 15 consecutive quarters has certainly boosted morale in all corners of the Flying Horses' locker room.

"It's a nice accomplishment and the greatest part about it is that everyone has been contributing," said Troy head coach Jack Burger. "It's not like it's just the first defense that's out there. It's special teams, it's the first defense, the second defense and in some cases, the third defense. I think it's gotten to the point where everyone is taking pride in making contributions to how we're playing."

Williams, in his second year at Troy and his third year playing football, has been a major part of the Flying Horses' success on the defensive line, along with Jabour, Vinny Pennisi and Aaron Riggins. While some of his teammates have years of experience on Williams, who switched from basketball to football in his sophomore year at Albany High, he feels he has done everything in his power to prepare himself for the varsity level.

"I don't like to say that people have a leg up on me," Williams said. "I like to work as hard as I can. I'm an effort guy. I'm just going to give it a lot of effort and hope that's enough to pull me through. That's what gets me to the next level."

Troy (2-0, 4-0), ranked No. 7 in the latest New York State Sportswriters Association Class A poll, plays host to Averill Park (0-2, 1-3) in a Division I game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. It is Homecoming Weekend for the Flying Horses.

Jabour played at Averill Park as a freshman before transferring to Troy, so he will remember plenty of familiar faces on the opposite sideline Saturday afternoon.

"Every year I can't wait for this game," he said. "I know some of them and they know me. We all go back and forth. This is my game. I wait for this every year."

The defensive line will be tested against the Warriors' quirky no-huddle spread offense scheme. Williams and Jabour are both excited to switch their focus from stopping the run to creating a pass rush as they try to keep the team's shutout streak intact for another game.

"It's early on in season and we really haven't had too much to go by," Burger said. "We're four games into the season. Have we played well so far? Yes. But our goal isn't to play well in Weeks 2, 3, and 4. We say to the boys all the time, 'if you're content with that being as good as you're going to be, then we're not going to be there when it means something in Weeks 8, 9 and 10."